Table talk: friends chatting at dinner party – a disappearing social phenomenon, according to new research from Sussex Universuty. Photograph: Chris Clinton/Getty Images

The party is over – the dinner party, that is. According to a study conducted at Sussex University, the formal sit-down do, with carefully-planned menu, placement and guestlist governed by social aspiration, is a thing of the past. Instead, according to researchers, people are turning to more informal gatherings of friends and family, with drinks and a more buffet-style of serving food – and even with dishes brought by guests:

"We're finally seeing a shift from passive to active guests, which could ultimately see the end of the traditional dinner party host as we know it and could lead to a more modern role of 'dinner party facilitator' to organise these gatherings."

Does this reflect your experience? Is there simply a smorgasbord on your sideboard, or do you still go for the multiples of cutlery, several courses and, of course, matching coasters and napkins (never "serviettes")?